In their first episode Jason, Abby, and Corey discuss the topic of specializing in a single sport compared to playing multiple sports.  This is a great first episode that hits the nail on the head with how to think of letting your child navigate playing sports at a young age to possible becoming a collegiate or professional athlete.

Here are the top 6 recommendations around Specialization and Youth Sports

“2019 National Athletic Trainers Association guideline for youth athletes, endorsed by Professional Football Athletic Trainers’ Society, Professional Hockey Athletic Training Society, Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers’ Society, National Basketball Athletic Trainers’ Association, Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers’ Society and the NATA Intercollegiate Sports Medicine Council.

1. Delay specializing in a single sport for as long as possible: Sport specialization is often described as participating and/or training for a single sport year-round. Adolescent and young athletes should strive to participate, or sample, a variety of sports. This recommendation supports general physical fitness, athleticism and reduces injury risk in athletes.

2. One team at a time: Adolescent and young athletes should participate in one organized sport per season. Many adolescent and young athletes participate or train year-round in a single sport, while simultaneously competing in other organized sports. Total volume of organized sport participation per season is an important risk factor for injury.

3. Less than eight months per year: Adolescent and young athletes should not play a single sport more than eight months per year.

4. No more hours/week than age in years: Adolescent and young athletes should not participate in organized sport and/or activity more hours per week than their age (i.e., a 12-year-old athlete should not participate in more than 12 hours per week of organized sport).

5. Two days of rest per week: Adolescent and young athletes should have a minimum of two days off per week from organized training and competition. Athletes should not participate in other organized team sports, competitions and/or training on rest and recovery days.

6. Rest and recovery time from organized sport participation: Adolescent and young athletes should spend time away from organized sport and/or activity at the end of each competitive season. This allows for both physical and mental recovery, promotes health and well-being and minimizes injury risk and burnout/dropout.”

Ultimately the best way to figure out what sports your youth athlete should play and how to navigate the specialization vs. playing multiple sports at a time dilemma is to ask your child what sports they would like to play.  Keep it fun, keep it simple, and allow for them to develop by themselves through playing multiple sports THEY ENJOY at a young age.